Men have been cruel to him. But we will be kind to our Brother Bear."

Thus John learned a new lesson of courtesy to the wilder, bigger
beasts. That same day he made the long journey a second time, bringing
the bear his dinner, with a comb of wild honey which the Hermit had
found on the way home. And he had the joy of seeing the creature act
no longer like an enemy, but like a timid friend.

Day after day John went and ministered to the sick animal. At last,
there came a joyous time when the bear rose to greet him on his
approach. The injured paw was healed. And when John left the cave
that night, the bear hobbled at his heels, even to the clearing where
the Hermit lived. He would not go farther at that time. He sat down
on his haunches outside the border of tall trees, and when John tried
to coax him he looked at the hut doubtfully. At the sight of Brutus he
made lumberingly away.

A few evenings later, the bear came of his own accord to beg for his
supper; and at last this became a custom. Soon he also was accounted a
member of the animal kingdom, and became good friends with them all.
In time John taught him many tricks, such as he had seen the
mountebanks do with their traveling bears. But unlike them, John
taught only by kindness; and his bear learned the faster.




XIII

A FOREST RAMBLE